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Saturday, December 8, 2007

I had an interview with NPR yesterday. I had to drive downtown to the Chicago office so they could record the interview which is scheduled to air the last week of December on Morning Edition. So, in order to get there in time, I asked my husband if he could get home from work by noon or if I should get a babysitter. He told me that it was no problem and he’d be home by 12:00. 12:00 came. 12:00 left. 12:05 came and left. At 12:10 I called my husband and asked him if he was almost home. He innocently answered, “No. I figured I’d get home about 12:30.”“What?! I need to leave NOW! You SAID you’d be home by 12:00!”

My husband thought I’d told him that I needed to leave by 1:00 (because he doesn’t LISTEN!) and he apologized repeatedly for goofing up, so I couldn't be mad. So, I ended up leaving a little after 12:00 and even though traffic was kinda stinky, I made it there with time to spare. Let me back up a minute. Yesterday morning I remembered my interview with ABC and how dry my mouth was while talking to the reporter. I concluded that I hadn’t been drinking enough water lately and should probably chug down a gallon or two or ten before my interview so my mouth didn’t totally dry up while I was talking. So, about five minutes into my trip, I realized I had to pee. As traffic inched slowly along, the need to pee got worse and worse. Let me tell you, after having six kids, this is not something you mess around with. When you have to go, you have to go!

I guess I didn’t look at my Mapquest print-out very well. I thought the building was located immediately as I turned onto Wacker. As soon as I turned, I looked for a parking garage because I'm a dork and there is no way in the world I would ever, ever try to parallel park. I was afraid if I didn't park in the first garage I found, I wouldn't be able to find another one for ten miles. I found a garage right away and parked the car and prayed there was a bathroom somewhere in the parking garage. There wasn’t. I walked (really quickly) to the first establishment I thought might have a public bathroom. It was a restaurant and as I walked in and smelled the fresh bread, I realized that I hadn’t eaten yet, so I ordered a sandwich (after peeing, of course.) I asked the guy behind the counter where 65 E. Wacker was. He said, “Oh it’s a ways over that way.” He indicated the direction.

“What do you mean ‘a ways’?” I asked, my voice laced with concern.“Oh I don’t know. It’s about eight blocks or so thatta way.”Eight blocks? Eight city blocks? So almost a mile? I guess I didn’t have so much extra time after all. I sat down, scarfed four or five bites and then decided I’d better get walking.

I saw several of these signs as I walked to the building. Falling ice? That doesn't sound good.

I looked up to see from where the ice would fall. Ice falling from that height could totally poke your eye out! Couldn't it? Hmmm, maybe Mythbusters would know. Get on that, will ya?

So, I played the part of the dorky tourist the entire way so that I could bring you, my awesome readers, these pictures...

The L

House of Blues

Umm, a building

A round building

The river

I arrived at the NPR building, found the office, and got settled in. (By the way, there were parking garages on pretty much every corner all the way there. In fact, there was a garage RIGHT NEXT to the building!) I got to wear these neato earphones! I pretended to be Frasier as Roz (OK, it wasn’t really Roz, but I failed to catch the gentleman’s name) gave me instructions through the earphones. Oh yeah - he also brought me more water!

Cool, huh?

The interview went pretty well. I think. I guess we'll see when it airs. It was pretty cold here yesterday, so instead of walking back to my car, I thought about maybe taking a cab. The only problem is, dork that I am, I failed to note the location of the garage in which I'd parked. I didn't think I could tell the cab driver, "Um yeah, could you go to a parking garage about a mile away from here. I think there was a fire hydrant outside. And a tree. Yes, there was definitely a tree near there. And the L. The L ran near there. Somewhere. Oh! And there were some really tall buildings too! Do you know where it is?"

So, I just enjoyed my walk in the city instead. I learned that you should really wear gloves in December when walking a mile in the city. I also learned that when walking the streets of downtown Chicago, you must look straight ahead, focusing on your destination. Do not look at other passersby. Do not make eye contact. Do not smile. If you do, people will think there's something wrong with you. I also learned, according to the man with the sandwich board, that "the end is near".

I got back to the garage and thankfully didn't have to remember what number floor I'd parked on because the floors had names in addition to numbers for those of us who are mathematically impaired. So, I got in the elevator and pressed the button for the Flugel Horn floor (also known as floor 9). The elevator stopped at the fifth floor when a guy got on, and I stepped off. I walked up and down aisles looking for my car until I saw that I was on the Guitar Floor. Oops. I'd automatically gotten off the elevator when it stopped without even looking at the number. I walked back to the elevator, feeling like a total dork for like the twelfth time that day.

All I know is that I'm definitely thankful I don't have to drive downtown for work every day!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then last night we got to go out to dinner with friends. And without kids. Ahhhh. We've got some of the most awesome friends ever. We always have the best time when we get together with or without the kids. We also tend to do a lot of eating whenever we get together. A lot! We went to a yummy Greek restaurant and, as usual, ate too much! I think I still have garlic oozing from my pores from the skorthalia. Yum-o!

Mmmm, Roditis!

Aren't you happy I didn't put the first two pictures on here, Jen? :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Oh yeah! How could I have forgotten?! I'm going to NY next week to meet with my publishers! Yay! I've never been to NY and I'm really excited to see both the city and the publishers!

Ha, that sounds like something I would do! Dorks unite! At least you got some exercise, and you were alone, two reasons why I would have been quite happy to be in a big city. I'm glad it all worked out for you, keep up the entertaining blog work!

Oh, I love Chicago. I had a similar experience in drinking and driving in Utah. I had to run from interpreting in Provo to another hearing in Price, which takes you down this long, winding road through a canyon with cliffs and mines on either side. Nowhere to even pull over if you wanted to and certainly nowhere to hide and pee. I realized not long down the road that I forgot to go to the bathroom before I left and I suddenly needed to REAL bad. I thought I would die , really then just in the nick of time I came out of the canyon and there was a little podunk town called Helper with a little market, that had a bathroom. Now I know why that town is named "Helper". I also had a very similar parking garage experience in Las Vegas.

Sooo funny. We have friends in Chicago and have visited often. We love the city. I always have to catch myself when the elevator door opens. Door opens, you get off, right? Can't wait to hear about the interviews and have fun in NY. Never been there before either.

Question for a Sunday or anyone to answer: What "hit counter" do you like to use for your blog? I put one on my blog, but it's very basic and counts every hit even everytime I check to see how a post looks. I've made most of the hits so far :)

so glad you made it on time after eating and having to walk a mile, your lucky you did. looks like a beautiful walk though, love the pictures, thank so much for thinking of us and taking some. ive never been there but it looks great. i cant wait to see your NY pics. they falling ice sign is kewl, but ouch yea i could see how ice falling from that high could really hurt someone. im sure your interview went great, hopefully someone will upload it so we can all hear it once it airs. take care.

Dawn, I love Chicago. I visited the first time with my college choir. It was cold and snowy, and just beautiful. We stayed in the American Congress hotel. That was a LONG time ago, but I remember so much about it.

I've had a few opportunities to return, and I got to take my mom once. We are from a SMALL town in eastern Kentucky, so the big city is a real treat for us. I took Mom to Marshall's department store (is that the right name?). She had never been shopping anywhere bigger than a mall. She was fascinated by all the levels and the windows and the decorations. It was near Christmas, so you can imagine how beautiful it was.

We were on the escalator, and my mom was literally leaning over the side ooohing and ahhhing. I was trying to be all civilized and get her to act, well, unimpressed, I guess. Finally she asked why I brought her there if I didn't want her to enjoy herself. It occurred to me that she was exactly right, so I started leaning over the rails and snapping pictures and acting all goofy with her. We had a delightful time.

Thanks for sharing the story and bringing back a fun memory for me. I look forward to hearing about NY. I love visiting there, too.

Oh, Dawn. You crack me up! I was actually doing the driving and parking thing downtown yesterday, too. Fortunately, my garage was right next to where I was going. Completely unintentional, too. I worked downtown for 5 years and never knew that the French Pastry School existed (well worth looking into for anyone who has fun cooking, although their demo classes leave much to be desired -- go Chopping Block for better demos and not as intense hands on classes).

I had a similar experience with not knowing where I needed to go when I was in DC in college once. I left my hotel and met a friend at Georgetown out. Tried to take a cab back to my hotel and gave my hotel's name. Cabbie didn't know it. Wanted a street address... oh my, that wasn't happening. I believe a few tears were involved, but I don't remember clearly.

I did learn something from that, however. Whenever in a non-familiar city, take a matchbook or something with an address of where you've been or where you want to go so that you (or a cabbie) can find your way back!

I'll be in NYC in early Jan, Dawn (my husband's birthday present to me -- there's a Cirque show there that's getting fantastic reviews if you can make it there!). I haven't been in years and years, so I look forward to hearing what you do as I essentially have no plans while there!

If you cant look at people in Chicago then be prepared for the BIG city. I thought Chicago was cold being from Northern Illinois myself (Freeport) but we moved to DC and the people are REALLY rude here. We went to NYC for a quick trip and they are even worse. I say that as a whole, there are some really sweet and wonderful people there...Good luck with your trip and don't let anyone carry your luggage for you.

Hi I just wanted to tell you how much I like your blog. (Am I the 1,000,000,000,000 person to tell you that?)(And do I get a prize?)

I know that I can come here and have a smile or a lol. Which I need because I work for my husband in his office and he always breaths over my shoulder to make sure I do "it" right even though I've been doing "it" for years.

Anyway thank you so much for the lol. I can't wait for the book to come out! Tracie in Texas

I live outside of Chicago and from working downtown, you have to walk from anywhere you park (exception, my job's HQ has a parking garage across the street). And I always get messed up in parking garages, I can never remember where I parked, even with the little helps for the floors.Please let me know when you will be on Morning Edition so I can annoy my co-workers with NPR. I love NPR, no one else seems to share the same love.

My husband always does the same thing. The other day, we had a few inches of snowfall. He called at about noon and said he'd be happy to go pick the kids up from school, so that I wouldn't have to bundle the other ones up, scrape off my car, shovel the walk and all the rest. At 2:55 he calls and says I'd better go, he had to go to a meeting. GGGRRRRR!Also, on your pencil post. I call that the "mama bear syndrome". It's okay for me to snap at my kids now and then, but if someone else even looks at them funny, mama bear will come out and get you.

LOVE the pictures from Chicago. My husband and I are from the suburbs but now live in Savannah,GA. We still go back to visit family but when your visiting family....going downtown is not a priority! So I really loved the trip down memory lane, Chicago really is a GREAT city!

Dawn I'm so happy for you. Please enjoy your freedom before you became famous. When you go on your book tour. See if you can take your family to St. Louis, Missouri. WE have alot of FREE attractions. Like our Zoo and Science Museum. We aslo have a Magic House for kids. I'M SO SORRY ABOUT JULLIAN. I prey his family have strength. I don't how to post a link. But I hope you enjoy this. SUSAN

A Mom's Letter TO SANTA

> Dear Santa,> >> > I've been a good mom all year. I've fed,> >> > cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited> >> > the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold> >> > sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to> >> > plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was> >> > hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I> >> > had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a> >> > receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll> >> > find anymore free time in the next 18 years.> >> >> >> > Here are my Christmas wishes:> >> >> >> > I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any> >> > color, except purple, which I already have) and arms> >> > that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are> >> > strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the> >> > candy aisle in the grocery store.> >> >> >> > I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere> >> >> >> > If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd> >> > like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that> >> > only plays adult music, a television that doesn't> >> > broadcast any programs containing talking animals,> >> > and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind> >> > the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.> >> >> >> > On the practical side, I could use a talking doll> >> > that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental> >> > confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and> >> > three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up> >> > without the use of power tools.> >> >> >> > I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks> >> > chanting 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take> >> > your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems> >> > to be just out of my children's hearing range and> >> > can only be heard by the dog.> >> >> >> > If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd> >> > settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my> >> > hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating> >> > food warmer than room temperature without it being> >> > served in a Styrofoam container.> >> >> >> > If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas> >> > miracles to bri ghten the holiday season. Would it> >> > be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable?> >> > It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be> >> > helpful if you could coerce my children to help> >> > around the house without demanding payment as if> >> > they were the bosses of an organized crime family.> >> >> >> > Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and> >> > my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I> >> > think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to> >> > leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't> >> > catch cold.> >> >> >> > Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat> >> > too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.> >> >> >> > Yours Always,> >> >> >> > MOM...> >> >> >> > P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests> >> > if you can keep my children young enough to believe> >> > in Santa.

Ok, so you didn't tell us, did the water help with the dry mouth thing or is it just the fact that you are nervous a little?

Oh Chicago! We live right next door (Michigan), but I've only been to Chicago once. In November. (I so want to go again…when it’s warmer!) And it was sooooooooooooo extremely cold! The definitely call it The Windy City for a reason, eh?

I've been to New York once too. I went with a group from college to the Financial District right after 9/11. (I'm a financial dork, yes.) When we went, we were warned not to look passersby in the eye either. And not to talk to people who were trying to sell you things on the street. Not even to make eye contact with them. Just keep walking. All in all, NY is an awesome place to visit. Being from a small town in the sticks, though, I don't think I could ever live there; though, I thought I wanted to at one time (oh the innocence of youth!).

Anyway, good luck with the publishers! I hope you get to stay an extra day or two and see some of the awesome stuff in the city. If you go to the Empire State building, get there early. The line tends to wrap around the building....several times. Eek!

Wow! What an experience. May your travels in NY be much less stressful!Also, I'm glad that dispite your celebrity, you didn't choose to pee anywhere else but in a restroom!! TMZ put up a pictorial, if you will, of celebrities peeing freely. UGH! Definately a pet peeve of mine... as well as TMZ.

You are going to L-O-V-E NYC!! It's a great city! Make sure you do the dorky touristy stuff like Rockefeller Center, Radio City, FAO, etc and a warning....do not eat food from a vendor named Salvador in Times Square, he sells hot dogs and various condiments for said dogs.......it wouldn't be a pretty trip. Otherwise enjoy coming to "my" coast!

Wow that is cool!!! I got to see some of Chicago which I am pretty sure (unless I miraculously win lotto) will never happen. Its funny though that you are complaining about the snow lol I have never seen snow ....ever.... I dont live where it gets cold enough to ever snow. We are sweltering here at the moment with the humidity, its about 80%. I cant wait till you go to New York I hope you do the tourist thing and take loads of pics. Are you going to New York on your own or with your hubby?

I reeeaaallllyyy miss Chicago. My hubby and I grew up in the west suburbs. I lived in Palatine, Bolingbrook, West Chicago and Naperville. Now I live in the one state I swore I never would move to, Misery(aka: Missouri. Blah!

Coming from a chronically small town in a small province, I almost cannot imagine what it would be like to drive into a big "mega-city" like Chicago. Except for the fact that 9 years ago I had to drive into Toronto. Believe me, I would have done the same as you did... because, well I did.

Yea! House of Blues! That's the hotel I stayed at the one time I was in Chicago, for my friend Ann D's wedding. Let's see, that was when I was working for the dumb insurance agency, so that was 2002, which I only know because of the BAZILLION job apps I have been filling out....

Dawn, oh my goodness. I had a few days to catch up on & so totally felt your pain about keeping up. I have 2 1/2 year old twins who are pretty well behaved, but a)they are 2 & b) they are into the conquer & divide technique.Does Mimi have her own blog or just the carepage for Julian? I think it was the quote that Michelle put at the end of the auction- it made alot of sense to me. My mom passed on in April & although I haven't lost my faith, I've certainly been struggling with depression.I have referred several people to your mama's like blog page & told one of my best girlfriends she should contact you & the 2 of you could tag team write. She has 5 children & is almost as good a writer as you. Together the 2 of you would be incredible!God Bless & please keep us posted on Julian.Merry Christmas, -Gail

Ahhh...I just moved back to Kansas from northern Indiana, so I miss Chicago a little bit. You're right about wearing gloves. It is frigid there in the winter. I certainly wouldn't want to walk eight blocks in that weather! That round building is one of my favorites.

'SPOOKY'. I ive in the UK and the topic of Chicago isn't normally something discussed - well ever really! However, just yesterday I met with a reative and we got talking about holidays and she told me about a trip to Chicago where she had stayed in The House of Blues Hotel. She then told me about how cold it was and that there were lots of tall buildings (yeah, like every US city no doubt?) - AND we are also having to fly via Chicago to Orlando next summer. Maybe someone is trying to make me go there....?Oh and do any husbands ever LISTEN and HEAR?

I lived in Chi-town (as my ex calls it) for over a year, and while living there, I didn't do much of the tourist thing, too busy living...when you said that you thought it was right as you turned on to Wacker, I had to laugh..I remember most of Wacker being a tunnel under the streets with those horrendous orange lights...and I didn't drive around the city, I took the El...much easier to do. by the way, don't go to the museum of art, there isn't anything there worth seeing, and on the rare occassion there is, they won't let you take pictures of it anyway...

The 'round' building is one of the Marina Towers- my Dad lives in there. I am in Texas and haven't seen my Dad in a while- you really made me miss him!! Maybe I'll go give him a call... Loved the pics and love your blogs!

I can seriously relate to driving/walking in downtown Chicago! I took my little sister shopping for a dress for her winter formal several years ago. I left the parking garage stub in the car so I wouldn't lose it. Dumb move. Well, when we were done shopping, we couldn't remember where the parking garage was. It was getting dark and we were walking around with a huge dress bag and other shopping bags. A little scary. We finally found the garage and left for the United Center for a Christmas concert where we got to sit in my employers' skybox. I have great memories of living in Northbrook & Schaumburg! Now I live in the western Maryland mountains! Culture shock! I miss shopping & eating at all the great restaurants - have you been to Ed Debevic's!

hey there..ur not a dork for not knowing everything around downtown chitown..i think ur just a true suburbinate ;-) hehe..just like i am..question for u..y didn't u take the metra..just curious..oh btw..i love ur stories..i only have 2 kids..a 2.5 yr old daughter and a 15 month old son..and we plan on having another 2 before i turn completely gray ;-) (so in the next 5 yrs or so..) anywho.. great job on the blog..give hugs and kisses to julian..we'll keep praying for him and his family..

Oh! Those pics are GREAT!!! Strangely I miss those walks in the bitter freezing Chicago cold! I used to work down on Clark street and had to walk about 8-10 blocks from the train station to and from our building. There was a Portillo's that I would always hit for lunch. Mmmmm. Chocolate cake! So good. I can taste it all the way from Austin, TX!

Have a blast in NY!! Hope you get to see some shows. Is the strike still on?

Congrats on your interview! I'm sure you did an awesome job. I probably would have done the same things, I'm certainly not a city girl by far. Good luck in New York, I'm jealous, I've always wanted to visit New York!

wow...you really made me miss Chicago. I grew up on the South Side (and it's southern suburbs). *sniff* I miss everything about that crazy city--the cold, the wind, the falling ice, even the homeless guys who hound you to buy their paper. And the Greek food. Can't seem to find any decent Greek restaurants in Washington DC...or decent Polish restaurants...just Mideastern and Indian it seems. Give Chicago a big hug for me. :)